Extent and environmental significance of vegetation clearance in the Nymagee‐Cargelligo area, western New South Wales

Abstract

Abstract There has been considerable recent concern over the amount of vegetation clearance and associated environmental degradation risk in the Western Division of New South Wales. An integrated remote sensing/GIS approach was used to provide information required to address this issue. The extent and nature of recent vegetation clearance was quantified to give a basic indication of the prevailing land condition in a study area in the central‐eastern portion of the Western Division. Between 1973 and 1991 there was an increase of 86 per cent in the extent of cleared landscapes. Further interpretation of this indicator with respect to the study period identified spatial and temporal trends critical to understanding the significance of observed environmental change. Change has not been uniform, with environments covering the red‐earth lands fringing the Lachlan River floodplain particularly impacted. The nature of changes was quantified with respect to various land units. The suitability of the approach for providing decision support for environmental management at ecosystem level, and the review of land‐use planning and environment protection strategies, is discussed.